Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad punched and hit a 60-year-old Air India Duty Manager with his slippers nearly 20 times and tore his shirt at IGI airport in Delhi today just because he could not travel business class in an all-economy flight.
The airline will be filing an FIR against the MP. It has also constituted a committee to look into the incident and will be submitting its report shortly to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, according to Air India.
WATCH: Unedited footage of Shiv Sena MP R Gaikwad roughing up Air India staff (NOTE: STRONG LANGUAGE) pic.twitter.com/idFr8MpUTo
— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2017
“The MP turned violent, broke the duty manager’s spectacles, tore his shirt, hit him with slippers 16-17 times,” PTI quoted Air India sources.
According to the airline, Gaikwad was booked on an open ticket in business class with Air India which allows a passenger to take a flight on any date.
But Gaikwad insisted on taking the 7:35 am AI 852 this morning from Pune to Delhi, which is an all-economy flight, sparking an argument between Air India staff and the politician.
The MP boarded the flight but refused to alight from the aircraft when it landed at IGI airport here.
This is when the 60-year-old duty manager, Shivkumar, approached the MP to try and placate him but was brutally manhandled, said Air India sources.
Gaikwad admitted hitting the Air India employee with his slippers.
“He asked who is this MP and said he would complain to Modi. So I slapped him. I hit him 25 times with my sandal.
“I am Shiv Sena member, not of BJP, to entertain abuses (hurled at me),” he said adding he “will not apologise”.
Gaikwad said he would also complain to the Lok Sabha Speaker about the incident.
The MP from Osmanabad Lok Sabha constituency in the Marathwada region is not new to stoking controversy. In 2014, he had caused a huge controversy for trying to force-feed a Muslim caterer during the Holy month of Ramzan because the VIP MP was miffed with the quality of chapatis served at New Delhi’s Maharashtra Sadan.
The news evoked angry reactions from social media users;
Strongly condemn the violent act of #ShivSena MP who slapped an #AirIndia employee today. He must be booked for this goondagardi.
— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) March 23, 2017
Just FYI, the duty manager beaten by the Shiv Sena MP is 60 years old. He was hit with a sandal till he fell to the ground #SlipperSena
— Padmaja joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) March 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/hari3520/status/844867482238124032
#ShivSena MP #RavindraGaikwad hits #AirIndia employee 25 times with Chappal for giving him economy seat in an all economy flight?. #Shame
— Priya Gupta (@priyagupta999) March 23, 2017
Respected @uddhavthackeray please send brave & courageous @ShivSena MP #RavindraGaikwad to fight with enemies instead of aged PSU staffers
— ManishKinhikar (@iam_manishk) March 23, 2017
^ @ShivSena MP Gaekwad hits AI staffer with a slipper?If such ppl r made MPs & ministers, how can our 'desh' progress, @uddhavthackeray Ji?
— Jyotsna (@PplOfIndia) March 23, 2017
Shiv sena MP Gaikwad who hit Air India Staff, is the brother of Water resources Sec, an accused in corruption case of barrage in Aurangabad pic.twitter.com/Hpj3acSjFq
— Mrs Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) March 23, 2017
Disgraceful display of 'VIP syndrome' at its worst. I hope strong action will be taken. https://t.co/qwre4QiRLY
— Vikram Chandra (@vikramchandra) March 23, 2017